A hospitalized patient is to receive medication through an existing saline lock. The medication technician prepares the medication, then attempts to flush the saline lock before administering the medication. However, when he presses the plunger on the flushing syringe, he feels significant resistance to the flow of saline through the lock. What should the medication technician do?
A. Pull back on the plunger in an attempt to pull any blood clot out of the lock into the syringe.
B. Increase the pressure on the plunger to force the saline through the lock, clearing any blood clots.
C. Attempt to flush the lock with heparin instead, in order to dissolve any blood clots.
D. Stop the procedure immediately to avoid forcing a blood clot into the bloodstream.
Answer: D
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